Phil's Prediction at Gobbler's Knob
The knob opens at about 3 a.m. for a night of music and fireworks, and Phil makes his forecast at about 7:25 a.m.
Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney
At dawn every February 2, tens of thousands gather in a small Pennsylvania town to hear whether Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.
Every February 2, the small town of Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania hosts America's most famous weather forecast. On a wooded hill called Gobbler's Knob, men in top hats lift Punxsutawney Phil from his stump at sunrise. If he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter; if not, an early spring.
The tradition goes back to 1887, and the 1993 film Groundhog Day made it world famous. Today the crowd can top 40,000, with music, fireworks and a party atmosphere from 3 a.m. in the freezing dark. In town, the rest of the week brings a Groundhog Festival of food, crafts and events.
- Best Time
- February 2
- Time Needed
- 1 night and a morning
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- The forecast is on February 2; Phil's Burrow is open year-round
- Getting There
- About 2 hours by car northeast of Pittsburgh, and about 4.5 hours west of Philadelphia. There's no train.
What to See
2 of 3 are freePunxsutawney Weather Discovery Center
A small hands-on museum about weather and forecasting in the town center.
Phil's Burrow
Phil and his family live year-round in a glass-fronted burrow at the library on Barclay Square.
Know Before You Go
- Cars aren't allowed at Gobbler's Knob: shuttle buses run from town through the night, and lines can be long. Check the Groundhog Club's website for routes.
- It's bitterly cold before dawn, sometimes near 0°F. Dress for hours standing outside.
- Book a room months ahead; the town is small and fills up. Many visitors stay in nearby towns or drive from Pittsburgh.
- If you arrive late you'll see Phil on a screen from the back of the crowd. The forecast is also streamed live.
Where to Stay
Stay in Punxsutawney if you can find a room, or in nearby towns such as DuBois or Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Something wrong or out of date?
Traveler Reviews
Sign in and mark Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney as visited to write a review.
Go Next
If You're NearbyPittsburgh
Pennsylvania
Three rivers, old inclines up Mount Washington for the view, and the Andy Warhol Museum.
Full Guide
If You're NearbyFallingwater
Pennsylvania
Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, built right over a waterfall in the Pennsylvania woods.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Mid-Atlantic list.